Manual shift / trans hot

I have a 2005 GT 5 spd manual with a Hurst shifter. The shifter gets very hot after a short period of driving. The shift handle and even the console around the shifter are very hot to the touch. I don't remember ever having this issue with my 2008 Bullitt which had a MGW short throw shifter. I'm also wondering if this might be why the shifter plastic bushings wore out after only 2 years and less than 5000 miles (Hurst sent me new bushings).

Does anyone have this problem? It doesn't seem normal to me.

Do you have cats? Have you check tranny fluid level?


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Are the heat shields around the trany in place? How about the rubber seal and insulation where the shifter comes through the tunnel?

I have the same shifter. Mine has always gotten hot.

I have a stock shifter. It's so cold in Michigan in the winter that I had to change to a composite shift knob. I think the shift just conducts heat extremely well both ways.
Even so, it was never burning hot in the summer. I think the other commenters are right that you should check your heat shields. Have you ever checked the transmission case temperature?

This is the OPs first post. Welcome to the site. Get familiar and proficient using the search function. There are dozens of threads on this site about 3650 problems and solutions. For this problem make sure the rubber shift boot is properly in place. Also make sure your 3650 is full of fluid. For stock plastic bushings there is one solution. Brass bushings from AMP performance you can buy on Amazon.

Remember the exhaust is right underneath your shifter. Get used to some heat transfer. I have the billet UPR shifter with billet shifter knob with brass bushings and the blowfish shifter bracket. There is a direct metal to metal to metal to metal connection from the inside of my transmission to my shifter knob. I love it and it shifts perfectly. But..... on a hot SoCal day with the sun beating thru an open window right on my shifter knob you can probably cook an egg on my shifter knob on some days. If I couldn't live with it I would buy an automatic economy shit box.

I will check the fluid. Someone told me that Ford used automatic trans fluid in these but Tremec recommends a synchromesh fluid

Warren said:

I will check the fluid. Someone told me that Ford used automatic trans fluid in these but Tremec recommends a synchromesh fluid

Click to expand...

Lots of the threads on this subject on what type of fluid to use and lots of opinions. I use Ford ATF MERCON V. In my opinion synchromesh is probably OK. Whatever you use, just make sure its not Royal Purple!!!

Thanks for the info

From my experience, Mercon-V ATF is fine. It is a Synthetic blend and is readily available in generic form.
It is said that Tremec used Mobil-1 Synthetic ATF when developing the TR3650.

I believe that Tremec only suggested the Synchromesh fluid for a short time before taking it away from the recommended fluid list.

"Pennzoil for Synchromesh Manual Transmissions" is found in the gear oil section of the parts stores that carry it. It does seem to work. It is basically a thin version of gear oil and is old technology. Thus it breaks down quicker than the other preferred ATF fluids. Being thicker, it may help quiet loose bearings that are making noise. I know of no performance advantage to using it. CHANGE IT OFTEN if this is your preference.

I DON'T LIKE Synchromesh in a TR3650 because those that I have torn down that have used this fluid have been totally coated with a black sooty, carbon layer that makes the entire inside of the transmission black as a diesel engine. Those that have used the prescribed ATF open up and are clean inside unless the owner simply never ever changed the fluid.

I personally recommend the Mercon-V (Synthetic Blend) or the Mobil-1 (Full Synthetic).

Any complaints I have heard about heat from a transmission has always come down to a damaged rubber seal between the shifter and the floorboard which allowed hot air to enter.
People tend to leave them off for various reasons. One is that it may not fit the aftermarket shifter very well. The decorative shifter boot will not hold back the heat...

Stan

^^^^+100! Stan is the only guy I listen to for advice on Tremec's and the same guy I get all my parts from.

Thanks Stan. My rubber shift boot is in place. I’ll try the Mobile-1.